My colleagues on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and I are very pleased that, after nearly two years of discussions and negotiations and after numerous public meetings and input from the public, all of the agreements between the University of Southern California (USC), the Coliseum Commission and the Board of Directors of Exposition Park/California Science Center are now approved.

The approval actions on September 4 by the Board of Directors, under the leadership of Board Chair Fabian Wesson, now will allow one of the most iconic structures in Los Angeles – the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – to be upgraded and maintained during its upcoming centennial decade that begins this fall – and for decades thereafter – under the direct stewardship of the one organization that has been its sole continuous tenant since its opening in 1923 – USC.

The Coliseum Commission made its decision to transfer management responsibilities of the Coliseum and Sports Arena to USC for many reasons. But, first and foremost, the Coliseum will now benefit from two commitments made by USC President Max Nikias and the USC Board of Trustees: To invest approximately $70 million plus of USC funding into the Coliseum for repairs and enhancements before the centennial celebration of the Coliseum in 2021-2023; and even more importantly, to provide annual funding from USC resources as needed to maintain the Coliseum’s physical condition at all times for the remainder of the University’s lease with the Commission (through December 31, 2054) at the same standard used on the University Park campus.

The Coliseum is owned by the public, but it is important to note that, under the terms of the Joint Powers Authority Agreement between the State, the County and the City of LA, no public tax funds will be used to support the operations of the Coliseum and Sports Arena.

As the number of events at the Coliseum and Sports Arena – other than USC games – have decreased in the past 15 years due to the increased availability of other venues and due to other economic considerations, the financial challenges in operating and maintaining the Coliseum and sports Arena have been obvious and the current condition of the building is evident.

In addition to the collaborative efforts of Fabian Wesson and the other members of the Board of Directors, my colleagues and I are grateful for the support provided by the administration of Governor Jerry Brown through Cabinet Secretaries Anna Caballero and John Laird, by State Senator Rod Wright and Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer on behalf of the Legislative Black Caucus, by State Senator Kevin deLeon, chair of the State Senate Appropriations Committee, and by the many civic leaders and hundreds of members of the general public who came forward to voice their views during the many public sessions held by the Coliseum Commission and by the Board of Directors.

My colleagues and I are particularly pleased that, as called for in the Coliseum Commission’s agreement with USC, the university has completed its negotiations with the Board of Directors to ensure that the other important activities and operations in Exposition Park, including three State and County museums, the City EXPO Center, and the playfields and park areas along Vermont Avenue will be enhanced by USC’s operation of the Coliseum.

The Coliseum Commission has faced several other challenges in the past several years and its work in resolving those challenges is continuing. The Coliseum Commission – as the public agency representing the tripartite interests of the State, the County and the City – will continue to exist and oversee USC’s operations. However, the Commission will now be recommending to the State, the County and the City that the membership structure of the Commission be modified and reduced beginning in 2014.

We look forward to having the Opening Ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in the Coliseum two summers from now and we hope that this renaissance of the Coliseum under USC leadership will also bolster the pending proposal of Los Angeles to the U.S. Olympic Committee to serve as the U.S. candidate to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

I want to thank USC for its commitment to our local community. On behalf of my colleagues, we look forward to the preservation and improvement of this iconic building for generations of Southern Californians to enjoy!

Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and me that called for tougher penalties for “Johns” convicted of soliciting sex from minors.

We have been focusing on the issue of child sex trafficking for almost two years now, and the concept that there are people out there who would buy a 10-year old girl for sex is still beyond me.

We have spent a great deal of time working on the services end of this issue, to do whatever we can to help these girls get their lives on the right track and to prevent others from being exploited.

We have a good opportunity now, as the new legislative season in Sacramento is gearing up, to continue to promote awareness of this horrific problem and develop effective legislation to help the victims and to go after the scumbags who purchase and sell girls for sex.

We must address the “demand” side of this crime and make the penalties severe enough so that these “Johns” don’t continue to be nameless and free of any criminal record, while the girls are criminalized.

Our work is far from done, but we are making progress.  Each step we take forward in supporting the victims of child sex trafficking brings us one day closer to protecting the real victims of this crime and preventing the exploitation of our most vulnerable young girls.

Los Angeles County is continuing its efforts to put an end to child sex trafficking: the horrific and sickening crime happening to young girls in big cities and small towns across this nation.

Following her presentation last week at the “Crimes Against Children Conference” in Dallas, Michelle Guymon was back in Los Angeles County to host a roundtable discussion with various agencies. The goal was to begin working on a plan to help the young victims of child sex trafficking. Participating in the meeting were members of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Mary Magdalene Project, the Coalition Against Slavery & Trafficking, the National Center for Youth Law, and Los Angeles County Probation.

This meeting brought together some of the most experienced minds in the country, to develop a strategy Los Angeles County to implement to ensure that young girls, who are being sexually exploited for money, receive the proper services and resources necessary to put them on the path to a better life.

I am proud of all the work Los Angeles County, and our partners, have done to fight this awful crime. This next phase of work will ensure that all departments in the County have a process in place to protect our young girls from future exploitation.

It’s the time of year every parent loves and every kid dreads: back to school! Kids all across Los Angeles County are heading back to the classroom over the next few weeks. Fortunately, there are lots of County services available through the Los Angeles County Public Library to get your kids back into the swing of things.

Need some help with a math problem? Students can receive free online homework help with their library card. All they need is their library card, and the internet, and online tutoring is accessible from anywhere!

Need to make a résumé or learn a new language? The Public Library also offers online classes. Learn over 22 foreign languages, how to prepare for a job interview, or how to become an American citizen with hundreds of free online lessons.

Need a book for an upcoming book report or club but can’t find time to make it over to your local library? No worries! You can download e-books, magazines, audiobooks and even music directly from the Public Library website right to your Kindle, Nook or iPad.

All you need to access these helpful services is a library card.

To all the kids heading back to school, I wish you the best of luck in your studies.

Today, the FBI announced that 105 sexually exploited victims of child sex trafficking were rescued during a three-day nationwide operation in 76 U.S. cities.

Child sex trafficking is a horrific and sickening crime happening to young girls in big cities and small towns across this nation. Girls, some as young as 11 or 12, are being forced into a life of prostitution and trafficked across city limits, state lines and country borders.

The rescue of 105 child sex trafficking victims last week is eye-opening to the public, many of whom believe this is an issue happening only in foreign countries. In fact, Los Angeles County is recognized as one of the largest hubs for sex trafficking in the nation.

The key to protecting our young girls from manipulation and putting an end to this disgusting industry is awareness. In the last 18 months, Los Angeles County has strived to position itself as a national leader in preventing the sexual exploitation of children. We have made a concerted effort to build awareness and develop programs to heal the victims of this crime.

I commend the FBI and all the local agencies who were involved in the rescue of these young victims. While we have accomplished much, we must continue to focus on their safety and healing. This massive, nation-wide sweep sends a strong message to the real criminals that our County will do everything we can to protect the lives of these young girls.